Surgical stapler with incomplete firing indicator

US10265066B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John P. Measamer · Cincinnati, US
• Charles J. Scheib · Loveland, US
• Emily A. Schellin · Cincinnati, US
• Brian W. Bear · Cincinnati, US
• Brian F. DiNardo · Cincinnati, US
• Christopher C. Miller · Loveland, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 26, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L1/22
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly, an anvil, a firing assembly, a load sensor, and an indicator. The firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly to drive an annular array of staples through tissue toward the anvil. The load sensor is operable to sense a load in the firing assembly while the firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly. The indicator is operable to provide feedback based on the load sensed by the load sensor. The firing assembly may include a longitudinally translatable member. The instrument may further include a position sensor that is operable to sense a longitudinal position of the translatable member while the firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly. The indicator may be activated based on data from at least one of the sensors indicating completion or failure of a full actuation stroke of the firing assembly.